UK government warns viewers about EU satellite decoder devices

The UK government is warning viewers that using a satellite decoder device to watch programmes from the EU will be illegal after Brexit.

Currently, anyone with a decoder can watch content that isn’t broadcast on a UK channel.

However, as soon as the UK exits the EU (whenever that might be), it will become an offence to use satellite broadcast decoder devices intended for EU audiences to access a programme included in a broadcast made from the UK with the intent of avoiding a charge associated with the programme.

The law change will not affect viewers who have a decoder in order to watch content in their native language, as they pay for the privilege.